Hey there, fellow writers. We've all been there—clicked on that dreaded "reviews" tab, heart pounding in our chests, only to see that someone, somewhere didn't love our book as much as we hoped they would. We've all stared at that screen, blinked a few times, and thought, "Well, this stinks."

Let's talk about it. The unglamorous, often unspoken side of our passion—handling negative reviews.

First, let's take a moment and be real with each other. Having your book out in the wild, up for public scrutiny, takes guts. You've bared a part of your soul to the world, and that's a big deal, no matter how many times you do it.

But here's the thing—reading is as personal as writing. Everyone has their own take on things, and not every book is for every reader. And that's okay. It really is. It doesn't mean they're wrong, and it definitely doesn't mean you're a bad writer. It just means your story didn't resonate with them.

Now, there's often this urge to respond to a negative review—to clarify, to explain, to defend. And who could blame you? Your book is your baby, after all. But take it from me, responding directly to a negative review tends not to end well. Readers are entitled to their opinions, as hard as they may be to read sometimes.

On the flip side, don't just write off a negative review. They can sting, I get it. But once the initial hurt has passed, revisit it with a cool head. Is there something you can take away from it for your next book? Is there a grain of truth hidden beneath the disappointment? Some reviews might be pure venting, but others might provide some valuable feedback.

That being said, don't dwell too much on them either. Take what you can, leave what you can't, and then close that tab. Don't let it fester. Don't let it steal your joy or rob you of your writing spirit.

How about staying positive? It can seem like climbing Everest in flip-flops, especially when a particularly biting review comes in. But remember, you're not alone. Every writer has been there, and every writer has bounced back from it.

Remember why you write—probably not for the rave reviews (although they're nice when they come), but because you have stories to tell, because you love it. Remember the joy you felt when you wrote "The End" on your manuscript or when you held your book in your hands for the first time.

And don't forget about the positive reviews. For every reader who didn't connect with your book, there's likely another one who did, whose day was a little better because they got lost in the world you created. Those reviews count too, probably more than the negative ones.

Writing, like anything worth doing, is a journey, with ups and downs, highs and lows. Negative reviews are part of the journey—they're tough, they're not fun, but they're not the end of the world. They're part of the process, and they're part of what makes us better at what we do.

So, the next time you get a negative review, take a deep breath. Read it, learn from it if you can, and then move on. Keep writing, keep improving, and keep telling your stories. After all, that's why we're all here, isn't it?

Okay, so we've talked about handling negative reviews, but there's another aspect of this whole review business I want to touch on. It's something I feel strongly about, and I know many of you do too—the question of engaging with reviewers.

Now, I get it. As authors, our books are our babies. We've spent countless hours, many sleepless nights, and probably a good chunk of our sanity bringing them into the world. So, when someone criticizes our work, our natural instinct is to defend it.

But here's the thing we need to remember—reviews aren't for us. I know, it sounds odd, right? Our book, our work, our heart and soul poured onto the page, and the review isn't for us?

Nope, it's not. Reviews are for other readers. They're a space for readers to share their thoughts, feelings, and reactions to our books with other potential readers. They're a part of the reader community, a space that we, as authors, should respect and maintain distance from.

Engaging with a reviewer, particularly on a negative review, can easily cross lines. It can come off as defensive, confrontational, or even intrusive. That's not a good look for anyone, let alone someone who wants to build a positive relationship with their readers.

Moreover, it's not fair to the reviewer. They should feel free to express their opinion without worrying about the author looking over their shoulder, ready to jump in at any moment. And let's be real, no one likes to feel watched or judged, especially in a space that's meant to be safe and open.

So, how do we handle this? How do we sit on our hands and resist the urge to respond when someone misinterprets a character or dislikes a plot twist we were really proud of?

The answer, my fellow scribes, is simple but not always easy—we let it be. We respect the space between author and reader, and we remember that not every reader will interpret our work in the way we intended. That's the beauty of literature—it's subjective. It's personal. And once our book is out in the world, it's no longer solely ours. It becomes a part of every reader's personal literary journey.

Remember, it's okay to feel frustrated or disappointed when a reader doesn't 'get' what you were trying to convey. It's okay to want to explain or clarify. But rather than engaging directly with a review, channel that energy back into your writing. Use it as fuel for your next book, your next character, your next twist.

Because at the end of the day, that's why we're here. Not to argue over reviews, but to tell our stories the best way we know how. So, keep writing, keep learning, and keep respecting the line between author and reader. Trust me, your professionalism and respect for readers' opinions won't go unnoticed. And who knows? That one-star reviewer might just pick up your next book and love it.

-LP

Author LP Cowling is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.

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